Review of Agri-Environment Scheme monitoring results and R&D

Published source details Defra (2003) Review of Agri-Environment Scheme monitoring results and R&D. Defra report.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Pay farmers to cover the costs of bird conservation measures Action Link
	Pay farmers to cover the cost of conservation measures (as in agri-environment schemes) Action Link

Pay farmers to cover the costs of bird conservation measures

A replicated 2002 study from nine areas of the UK under Environmentally Sensitive Areas schemes (DEFRA 2003) found that the impacts of Environmentally Sensitive Area designation on farmland birds were mixed. There was evidence for population increases or high numbers of some species of birds on Environmentally Sensitive Areas-managed land for four Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Populations of some species were stable in six Environmentally Sensitive Areas, often in contrast to national trends, but four Environmentally Sensitive Areas saw falls in the populations of at least one target species. The authors also note that in five regions there were not adequate data for all target species. The Environmentally Sensitive Areas scheme was introduced in 1987 and offered payments for either maintaining or enhancing landscape quality and biodiversity.
Pay farmers to cover the cost of conservation measures (as in agri-environment schemes)

A study from nine areas of the UK under Environmentally Sensitive Area schemes (Defra 2003) found that the impacts of Environmentally Sensitive Area designation on farmland birds were mixed. There was evidence for population increases or high numbers of some species of birds on Environmentally Sensitive Area-managed land for four Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Populations of some species were stable in six Environmentally Sensitive Areas, often in contrast to national trends, but four Environmentally Sensitive Areas saw falls in the populations of at least one target species. The authors also note that in five regions there were not adequate data for all target species.